Maddox says tornado cut a 6-mile path through city

Published: Friday, April 29, 2011 at 5:16 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, April 29, 2011 at 5:16 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA | The deadly tornado that struck here Wednesday afternoon cut a 5.9-mile path of destruction across the city, officials have determined.

Mayor Walt Maddox said the gash stretched between 1 mile to 1.5 miles, and carried with it the potential to directly affect almost 20,000 people.

“It's amazing anyone survived this,” Maddox said.

The confirmed death toll in Tuscaloosa as a result of the twister is 39, with 31 of those occurring in the city and eight within the police jurisdiction. Another 990 are injured.

The list of missing persons has grown to 454, but like the previously reported death toll of 45, Maddox believes the number is inflated by duplications and people failing to notify authorities after missing friends or family are found.

“I wish I could tell you I know (for sure), but our call and dispatch center is at full capacity,” Maddox said. “But this number gives you a sense of what's at stake.”

The city will make a decision on extending the curfew after this morning's logistical meeting, but Maddox expects it to be extended through the weekend.

The water towers at the VA Medical Center and Crescent Ridge Road are both operational and affected areas are regaining water pressure. However, the boil water advisory remains in effect for the time being.

State, federal aid

The city's search-and-recovery efforts are ongoing, even as hope that people are still alive and awaiting rescue begin to dwindle.

Maddox said two cadaver teams with dogs searched Rosedale and the surrounding area on Friday, but no bodies were found. He anticipates two more cadaver teams to arrive in the coming days to help search other parts of the city.

“We're having slow progress in part of the city because, frankly, in a lot of places we're dealing with nothing but rubble,” Maddox said.

Also on the way are 500 more members of the Alabama National Guard. These will bolster the 600 currently here and additional 250 who should arrive tonight.

The National Guard troops are assisting with traffic control and preventing motorists and other onlookers from entering the hardest-hit areas. The mayor said that allows city police and other emergency responders to take part in the search and other recovery efforts.

In terms of other resources, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency has been filling requests for equipment or other items as the city makes them.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency also is here providing assistance and guidance in the ongoing search effort.

And with the disaster approval that President Barack Obama gave the state on Friday, the agency also will begin providing reimbursements for expenses that city has generated as a result of the earlier April 15 tornado that damaged parts of the city.

“That will provide hundreds of thousands of dollars that we can put to use in this immediate disaster,” Maddox said.

Capt. David Hartin, head of the Tuscaloosa County EMA, was expected to present an updated FEMA plan to Maddox and the rest of the city's Incident Command Team Friday evening. The mayor said that will provide a clearer understanding on what the federal agency's role will be in the coming days.

Cleanup, volunteers

With the decimation of the Curry Building, which housed the city's Department of Environmental Services, the city's ability to collect garbage and debris has been seriously hampered.

Maddox said on Friday that city crews have managed to piece together seven garbage trucks from the wreckage. Collection in the unaffected areas could begin as soon as Thursday.

But the city's trash trucks, which collect tree limbs and other large debris, were hit even harder. There is no estimate on when that service could resume.

The Curry Building also housed the Tuscaloosa County EMA, the agency responsible for volunteer coordination in the midst of a disaster, the city has turned to the state EMA for help.

The response is an eight-

person team to oversee the widespread volunteer effort — 850 have registered and hundreds more have pitched in, Maddox said — that has turned out since the storm struck.

The coordination, which is expected to begin by Sunday, will ensure the proper resources are devoted evenly and without duplication.

“We're not only going to need volunteers this weekend, but weekends in June and July,” Maddox said.

Additionally, the city is seeking volunteers to assist with tree and debris removal on private property. It also needs contractors who are willing to provide free tree and debris removal to those who need it.

But some of the required work will be paid for.

A pre-bid meeting is planned for noon today for contractors willing to work toward clearing the city's damaged areas, at Central High School's gymnasium. Those applying must have FEMA certification, Maddox said.

“At the beginning of this cleanup, it's going to look like we're throwing rocks at a battleship,” Maddox said. “But we're out there, and we're moving. And it's going to take time, but we're going to cross that finish line.”

<p>TUSCALOOSA | The deadly tornado that struck here Wednesday afternoon cut a 5.9-mile path of destruction across the city, officials have determined.</p><p>Mayor Walt Maddox said the gash stretched between 1 mile to 1.5 miles, and carried with it the potential to directly affect almost 20,000 people.</p><p>“It's amazing anyone survived this,” Maddox said.</p><p>The confirmed death toll in Tuscaloosa as a result of the twister is 39, with 31 of those occurring in the city and eight within the police jurisdiction. Another 990 are injured.</p><p>The list of missing persons has grown to 454, but like the previously reported death toll of 45, Maddox believes the number is inflated by duplications and people failing to notify authorities after missing friends or family are found. </p><p>“I wish I could tell you I know (for sure), but our call and dispatch center is at full capacity,” Maddox said. “But this number gives you a sense of what's at stake.”</p><p>The city will make a decision on extending the curfew after this morning's logistical meeting, but Maddox expects it to be extended through the weekend. </p><p>The water towers at the VA Medical Center and Crescent Ridge Road are both operational and affected areas are regaining water pressure. However, the boil water advisory remains in effect for the time being. </p><p>State, federal aid</p><p>The city's search-and-recovery efforts are ongoing, even as hope that people are still alive and awaiting rescue begin to dwindle.</p><p>Maddox said two cadaver teams with dogs searched Rosedale and the surrounding area on Friday, but no bodies were found. He anticipates two more cadaver teams to arrive in the coming days to help search other parts of the city.</p><p>“We're having slow progress in part of the city because, frankly, in a lot of places we're dealing with nothing but rubble,” Maddox said.</p><p>Also on the way are 500 more members of the Alabama National Guard. These will bolster the 600 currently here and additional 250 who should arrive tonight.</p><p>The National Guard troops are assisting with traffic control and preventing motorists and other onlookers from entering the hardest-hit areas. The mayor said that allows city police and other emergency responders to take part in the search and other recovery efforts.</p><p>In terms of other resources, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency has been filling requests for equipment or other items as the city makes them.</p><p>The Federal Emergency Management Agency also is here providing assistance and guidance in the ongoing search effort.</p><p>And with the disaster approval that President Barack Obama gave the state on Friday, the agency also will begin providing reimbursements for expenses that city has generated as a result of the earlier April 15 tornado that damaged parts of the city.</p><p>“That will provide hundreds of thousands of dollars that we can put to use in this immediate disaster,” Maddox said.</p><p>Capt. David Hartin, head of the Tuscaloosa County EMA, was expected to present an updated FEMA plan to Maddox and the rest of the city's Incident Command Team Friday evening. The mayor said that will provide a clearer understanding on what the federal agency's role will be in the coming days.</p><p>Cleanup, volunteers</p><p>With the decimation of the Curry Building, which housed the city's Department of Environmental Services, the city's ability to collect garbage and debris has been seriously hampered.</p><p>Maddox said on Friday that city crews have managed to piece together seven garbage trucks from the wreckage. Collection in the unaffected areas could begin as soon as Thursday.</p><p>But the city's trash trucks, which collect tree limbs and other large debris, were hit even harder. There is no estimate on when that service could resume.</p><p>The Curry Building also housed the Tuscaloosa County EMA, the agency responsible for volunteer coordination in the midst of a disaster, the city has turned to the state EMA for help.</p><p>The response is an eight-</p><p>person team to oversee the widespread volunteer effort — 850 have registered and hundreds more have pitched in, Maddox said — that has turned out since the storm struck.</p><p>The coordination, which is expected to begin by Sunday, will ensure the proper resources are devoted evenly and without duplication.</p><p>“We're not only going to need volunteers this weekend, but weekends in June and July,” Maddox said.</p><p>Additionally, the city is seeking volunteers to assist with tree and debris removal on private property. It also needs contractors who are willing to provide free tree and debris removal to those who need it.</p><p>But some of the required work will be paid for.</p><p>A pre-bid meeting is planned for noon today for contractors willing to work toward clearing the city's damaged areas, at Central High School's gymnasium. Those applying must have FEMA certification, Maddox said.</p><p>“At the beginning of this cleanup, it's going to look like we're throwing rocks at a battleship,” Maddox said. “But we're out there, and we're moving. And it's going to take time, but we're going to cross that finish line.”</p>